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Laufersweiler is new director of development at St. Edmond

Longtime teacher will succeed Miklo, who is retiring

-Submitted photo
Susan Laufersweiler sees hands go up during a past lesson in her fourth-grade classroom at St. Edmond Catholic School. After 21 years in the classroom, Laufersweiler has accepted the position of director of development for St. Edmond.

Susan Laufersweiler knew when she was in kindergarten that she wanted to become a teacher.

“I decided then that I wanted to teach,” said Laufersweiler, a 1996 St. Edmond Catholic School graduate. “I loved my teacher — I thought the way she taught was great and I wanted to teach.”

She’s since achieved that dream, having taught 21 years at St. Edmond Catholic School in grades 2, 3, 4 and 6.

Now, she will use that experience to serve St. Edmond in a different way. Laufersweiler has been named the school’s next director of development.

The St. Edmond Catholic School Board announced her hire on Monday. Laufersweiler will replace Tom Miklo, who is retiring.

Laufersweiler’s passion for St. Edmond and a faith-based education made her a strong candidate for the position.

“My history with St. Edmond and my passion for St. Edmond, they thought I would be a good choice,” she said. “I was approached about the possibility of the job and thought it was a good opportunity. Although it was a hard decision because I love teaching, but I thought this was a great chance to expand my knowledge and make more connections with people in the community.”

Laufersweiler graduated in 2000 from Loras College in Dubuque. Much of her family has also taught — including grandparents, sisters, aunts and uncles.

Throughout her time in the classroom, Laufersweiler enjoyed connecting with students through faith.

“Being able to share my faith with students,” she said. “I love the family atmosphere at St. Edmond. Being able to share books and knowledge with kids and seeing moments where they grow — the aha moments. You get a little break in the summer to come back and do it with a new group so it’s always fresh and rewarding.”

St. Edmond, in particular, has been a special place for her.

“We are creating saints here,” she said. “We are working to share our faith with them. God is here with us. We get to praise him and all of his glory here. We get to know each other on a different level. We get to talk about God in reading and math. We relate everything back to Jesus and that’s what stands out about the school. The families here are really supportive. It’s a family atmosphere. The kids are great. They are so respectful and wonderful.”

In her new role, Laufersweiler will have a chance to share her Gael spirit throughout the community.

“A lot of it will be networking and meeting with other people,” she said. “Fundraising and being a contact for the school — help gain interest in St. Edmond. (Things like) recruitment and retention. Raising funds to secure the future of St. Edmond, too.”

She credited Miklo for the work he has done throughout the years to support St. Edmond.

“I have a lot to learn in the new position,” Laufersweiler said. “I want to continue some of the successful things Mr. Miklo has going. I’ll have some big shoes to fill. He has already started so many wonderful projects in fundraising. I hope to add some new twists here and there and come up with some new ways to fundraise. I want to do my best and let God shine through.”

Laufersweiler and her husband, Mark, have supported St. Edmond in various volunteer roles, including being past chairs of the Friends of Saint Edmond Ball. She is a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish.

Laufersweiler will begin her duties as development director on June 1.

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